Identification of the lipid droplet targeting domain of the Cidea protein

Cidea, the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector (CIDE) domain-containing protein, is targeted to lipid droplets in mouse adipocytes, where it inhibits triglyceride hydrolysis and promotes lipid storage. In mice, Cidea may prevent lipolysis by binding and shielding lipid droplets from lipase association. Here we demonstrate that human Cidea localizes with lipid droplets in both adipocyte and nonadipocyte cell lines, and we ascribe specific functions to its protein domains. Expression of full-length Cidea in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells or COS-1 cells increases total cellular triglyceride and strikingly alters the morphology of lipid droplets by enhancing their size and reducing their number. Remarkably, both lipid droplet binding and increased triglyceride accumulation are also elicited by expression of only the carboxy-terminal 104 amino acids, indicating this small domain directs lipid droplet targeting and triglyceride shielding. However, unlike the full-length protein, expression of the carboxy-terminus causes clustering of small lipid droplets but not the formation of large droplets, identifying a novel function of the N terminus. Furthermore, human Cidea promotes lipid storage via lipolysis inhibition, as the expression of human Cidea in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes causes a significant decrease in basal glycerol release. Taken together, these data indicate that the carboxy-terminal domain of Cidea directs lipid droplet targeting, lipid droplet clustering, and triglyceride accumulation, whereas the amino terminal domain is required for Cidea-mediated development of enlarged lipid droplets.     

Fat-specific Protein 27 (FSP27) Interacts with Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL) to Regulate Lipolysis and Insulin Sensitivity in Human Adipocytes

In adipocytes, lipolysis is a highly regulated process involving hormonal signals, lipid droplet-associated proteins, and lipases. The discovery of new lipid droplet-associated proteins added complexity to the current model of lipolysis. In this study, we used cultured human adipocytes to demonstrate that fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27), an abundantly expressed protein in adipocytes, regulates both basal and stimulated lipolysis by interacting with adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL, also called desnutrin or PNPLA2). We identified a core domain of FSP27, amino acids 120–220, that interacts with ATGL to inhibit its lipolytic function and promote triglyceride storage. We also defined the role of FSP27 in free fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes. FSP27 depletion in human adipocytes increased lipolysis and inhibited insulin signaling by decreasing AKT phosphorylation. However, reducing lipolysis by either depletion of ATGL or expression of exogenous full-length FSP27 or amino acids 120–220 protected human adipocytes against the adverse effects of free fatty acids on insulin signaling. In embryonic fibroblasts derived from ATGL KO mice, exogenous free fatty acids did not affect insulin sensitivity. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for FSP27-ATGL interactions in regulating lipolysis, triglyceride accumulation, and insulin signaling in human adipocytes.     

Fat-specific protein 27, a novel lipid droplet protein that enhances triglyceride storage

Fat-specific protein (FSP)27/Cidec is most highly expressed in white and brown adipose tissues and increases in abundance by over 50-fold during adipogenesis. However, its function in adipocytes has remained elusive since its discovery over 15 years ago. Here we demonstrate that FSP27/Cidec localizes to lipid droplets in cultured adipocytes and functions to promote lipid accumulation. Ectopically expressed FSP27-GFP surrounds lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and colocalizes with the known lipid droplet protein perilipin. Immunostaining of endogenous FSP27 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes also confirmed its presence on lipid droplets. FSP27-GFP expression also markedly increases lipid droplet size and enhances accumulation of total neutral lipids in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as other cell types such as COS cells. Conversely, RNA interference-based FSP27/Cidec depletion in mature adipocytes significantly stimulates lipolysis and reduces the size of lipid droplets. These data reveal FSP27/Cidec as a novel adipocyte lipid droplet protein that negatively regulates lipolysis and promotes triglyceride accumulation.     

Fat-specific protein 27 regulates storage of triacylglycerol

FSP27 (fat-specific protein 27) is a member of the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-alpha-like effector (CIDE) family. Although Cidea and Cideb were initially characterized as activators of apoptosis, recent studies have demonstrated important metabolic roles for these proteins. In this study, we investigated the function of another member of this family, FSP27 (Cidec), in apoptosis and adipocyte metabolism. Although overexpression of FSP27 is sufficient to increase apoptosis of 293T and 3T3-L1 cells, more physiological levels of expression stimulate spontaneous lipid accumulation in several cell types without induction of adipocyte genes. Increased triacylglycerol is likely due to decreased beta-oxidation of nonesterified fatty acids. Altered flux of fatty acids into triacylglycerol may be a direct effect of FSP27 function, which is localized to lipid droplets in 293T cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Stable knockdown of FSP27 during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells substantially decreases lipid droplet size, increases mitochondrial and lipid droplet number, and modestly increases glucose uptake and lipolysis. Expression of FSP27 in subcutaneous adipose tissue of a human diabetes cohort decreases with total fat mass but is not associated with measures of insulin resistance (e.g. homeostasis model assessment). Together, these data indicate that FSP27 binds to lipid droplets and regulates their enlargement.     

新型荧光探针mMaple3与mEos3.2应用于Fsp27介导脂滴融合的功能研究

目的:Fsp27已经被证明定位在脂滴上并且介导脂滴融合与增大。为研究Fsp27介导脂滴融合的动态分子机制,我们构建了Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型荧光探针的融合蛋白并研究其对脂滴融合的功能影响,进而为研发Fsp27相关生理功能的光学显像技术奠定基础。方法:对照传统绿色荧光的融合蛋白Fsp27-EGFP,在共聚焦显微镜下观察Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型融合蛋白的亚细胞定位和介导脂滴融合的功能,并利用荧光漂白恢复术(fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching,FRAP)以判断脂滴与脂滴之间是否存在脂的交换。结果:表达Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型融合蛋白的细胞中脂滴显著增大;同时,融合蛋白皆集中在脂滴与脂滴的接触位点上,且中性脂的交换实验显示脂滴与脂滴之间可以相互连通。结论:我们建构的两种新型荧光探针融合蛋白Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2保持了Fsp27介导脂滴融合的功能,并为我们进一步研发新型的超分辨光学显像技术提供功能基础。     

Quantitative analysis of lipid droplet fusion: inefficient steady state fusion but rapid stimulation by chemical fusogens

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic cytoplasmic organelles containing neutral lipids and bounded by a phospholipid monolayer. Previous studies have suggested that LDs can undergo constitutive homotypic fusion, a process linked to the inhibitory effects of fatty acids on glucose transporter trafficking. Using strict quantitative criteria for LD fusion together with refined light microscopic methods and real-time analysis, we now show that LDs in diverse cell types show low constitutive fusogenic activity under normal growth conditions. To investigate the possible modulation of LD fusion, we screened for agents that can trigger fusion. A number of pharmacological agents caused homotypic fusion of lipid droplets in a variety of cell types. This provided a novel cell system to study rapid regulated fusion between homotypic phospholipid monolayers. LD fusion involved an initial step in which the two adjacent membranes became continuous (<10 s), followed by the slower merging (100 s) of the neutral lipid cores to produce a single spherical LD. These fusion events were accompanied by changes to the LD surface organization. Measurements of LDs undergoing homotypic fusion showed that fused LDs maintained their initial volume, with a corresponding decrease in surface area suggesting rapid removal of membrane from the fused LD. This study provides estimates for the level of constitutive LD fusion in cells and questions the role of LD fusion in vivo. In addition, it highlights the extent of LD restructuring which occurs when homotypic LD fusion is triggered in a variety of cell types.     

Differential Roles of Cell Death-inducing DNA Fragmentation Factor-α-like Effector (CIDE) Proteins in Promoting Lipid Droplet Fusion and Growth in Subpopulations of Hepatocytes

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic subcellular organelles whose growth is closely linked to obesity and hepatic steatosis. Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector (CIDE) proteins, including Cidea, Cideb, and Cidec (also called Fsp27), play important roles in lipid metabolism. Cidea and Cidec are LD-associated proteins that promote atypical LD fusion in adipocytes. Here, we find that CIDE proteins are all localized to LD-LD contact sites (LDCSs) and promote lipid transfer, LD fusion, and growth in hepatocytes. We have identified two types of hepatocytes, one with small LDs (small LD-containing hepatocytes, SLHs) and one with large LDs (large LD-containing hepatocytes, LLHs) in the liver. Cideb is localized to LDCSs and promotes lipid exchange and LD fusion in both SLHs and LLHs, whereas Cidea and Cidec are specifically localized to the LDCSs and promote lipid exchange and LD fusion in LLHs. Cideb-deficient SLHs have reduced LD sizes and lower lipid exchange activities. Fasting dramatically induces the expression of Cidea/Cidec and increases the percentage of LLHs in the liver. The majority of the hepatocytes from the liver of obese mice are Cidea/Cidec-positive LLHs. Knocking down Cidea or Cidec significantly reduced lipid storage in the livers of obese animals. Our data reveal that CIDE proteins play differential roles in promoting LD fusion and lipid storage; Cideb promotes lipid storage under normal diet conditions, whereas Cidea and Cidec are responsible for liver steatosis under fasting and obese conditions.     

CIDE family proteins control lipid homeostasis and the development of metabolic diseases

Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis leads to the development of metabolic disorders including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Lipid droplets (LDs) are subcellular organelles vital in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis by coordinating lipid synthesis, lipid storage, lipid secretion and lipolysis. Under fed condition, free fatty acids (FFAs) are remodeled and esterified into neutral lipids by lipogenesis and stored in the LDs. The lipid storage capacity of LDs is controlled by its growth via local lipid synthesis or by LD fusion. During fasting, neutral lipids are hydrolyzed by lipolysis, released as FFAs and secreted to meet energy demand. C ell death‐i nducing D NA fragmentation factor alpha (DFFA)‐like e ffector (CIDE) family proteins composed of Cidea, Cideb and Cidec/Fsp27 are ER‐ and LD‐associated proteins and have emerged as important regulators of lipid homeostasis. Notably, when localized on the LDs, CIDE proteins enrich at the LD‐LD contact sites (LDCSs) and control LD fusion and growth. Here, we summarize these recent advances made on the role of CIDE proteins in the regulation of lipid metabolism with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying CIDE‐mediated LD fusion and growth.     

The metabolic capacity of lipid droplet localized acyl-CoA synthetase 3 is not sufficient to support local triglyceride synthesis independent of the endoplasmic reticulum in A431 cells

ACSL3 is the only long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase consistently found on growing and mature lipid droplets (LDs), suggesting that this specific localization has biological relevance. Current models for LD growth propose that triglycerides are synthesized by enzymes at the LD surface, with activated fatty acids provided by LD localized ACSL3, thus allowing growth independent of the ER. Here, we tested this hypothesis by quantifying ACSL3 on LDs from human A431 cells.RNAi of ACSL3 reduced the oleoyl-CoA synthetase activity by 83%, suggesting that ACSL3 is by far the dominant enzyme of A431 cells. Molar quantification revealed that there are 1.4 million ACSL3 molecules within a single cell. Metabolic labeling indicated that each ACSL3 molecule contributed a net gain of 3.1 oleoyl-CoA/s. 3D reconstruction of confocal images demonstrated that 530 individual lipid droplets were present in an average oleate fed A431 cell. A representative single lipid droplet with a diameter of 0.66?μm contained 680 ACSL3 molecules on the surface. Subcellular fractionation showed that at least 68% of ACSL3 remain at the ER even during extensive fatty acid supplementation. High resolution single molecule microscopy confirmed the abundance of cytoplasmic ACSL3 outside of LDs. Model calculations for triglyceride synthesis using only LD localized ACSL3 gave significant slower growth of LDs as observed experimentally.In conclusion, although ACSL3 is an abundant enzyme on A431 LDs, the metabolic capacity is not sufficient to account for LD growth solely by the local synthesis of triglycerides.     

ATGL has a key role in lipid droplet/adiposome degradation in mammalian cells

Lipid droplets (LDs), also called adiposomes, are found in many eukaryotic cells, and are highly upregulated in lipid-storage cells, such as adipocytes. The mechanism by which adiposomes and their component neutral lipids are degraded is an important health issue with the rapidly spreading epidemic of obesity. Recently, a novel triglyceride lipase (adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)) that catalyses the initial step in triglyceride hydrolysis in adipocyte LDs was identified. Here, we show that ATGL also functions in non-adipocyte cells, and has an important role in LD degradation in these cells. Overexpression of wild-type ATGL causes a marked decrease in LD size, whereas a catalytically inactive mutant retains the ability to localize to LDs, but is unable to decrease their size. Depletion of ATGL by RNA interference leads to a significant increase in the size of LDs. These results show that ATGL has an important role in LD/adiposome turnover in mammalian cells.     

High-throughput screening of Australian marine organism extracts for bioactive molecules affecting the cellular storage of neutral lipids

Mammalian cells store excess fatty acids as neutral lipids in specialised organelles called lipid droplets (LDs). Using a simple cell-based assay and open-source software we established a high throughput screen for LD formation in A431 cells in order to identify small bioactive molecules affecting lipid storage. Screening an n-butanol extract library from Australian marine organisms we identified 114 extracts that produced either an increase or a decrease in LD formation in fatty acid-treated A431 cells with varying degrees of cytotoxicity. We selected for further analysis a non-cytotoxic extract derived from the genus Spongia (Heterofibria). Solvent partitioning, HPLC fractionation and spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS) identified a family of related molecules within this extract with unique structural features, a subset of which reduced LD formation. We selected one of these molecules, heterofibrin A1, for more detailed cellular analysis. Inhibition of LD biogenesis by heterofibrin A1 was observed in both A431 cells and AML12 hepatocytes. The activity of heterofibrin A1 was dose dependent with 20 μM inhibiting LD formation and triglyceride accumulation by ～50% in the presence of 50 μM oleic acid. Using a fluorescent fatty acid analogue we found that heterofibrin A1 significantly reduces the intracellular accumulation of fatty acids and results in the formation of distinct fatty acid metabolites in both cultured cells and in embryos of the zebrafish Danio rerio. In summary we have shown using readily accessible software and a relatively simple assay system that we can identify and isolate bioactive molecules from marine extracts, which affect the formation of LDs and the metabolism of fatty acids both in vitro and in vivo.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids promote the rapid fusion of lipid droplets in Caenorhabditis elegans

Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular organelles that dynamically regulate lipids and energy homeostasis in the cell. LDs can grow through either local lipid synthesis or LD fusion. However, how lipids involving in LD fusion for LD growth is largely unknown. Here, we show that genetic mutation of acox-3 (acyl-CoA oxidase), maoc-1 (enoyl-CoA hydratase), dhs-28 (3-hydroxylacyl-CoA dehydrogenase), and daf-22 (3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase), all involved in the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans, led to rapid fusion of adjacent LDs to form giant LDs (gLDs). Mechanistically, we show that dysfunction of peroxisomal β-oxidation results in the accumulation of long-chain fatty acid-CoA and phosphocholine, which may activate the sterol-binding protein 1/sterol regulatory element–binding protein to promote gLD formation. Furthermore, we found that inactivation of either FAT-2 (delta-12 desaturase) or FAT-3 and FAT-1 (delta-15 desaturase and delta-6 desaturase, respectively) to block the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with three or more double bonds (n≥3-PUFAs) fully repressed the formation of gLDs; in contrast, dietary supplementation of n≥3-PUFAs or phosphocholine bearing these PUFAs led to recovery of the formation of gLDs in peroxisomal β-oxidation–defective worms lacking PUFA biosynthesis. Thus, we conclude that n≥3-PUFAs, distinct from other well-known lipids and proteins, promote rapid LD fusion leading to LD growth.     

The ceramide analogue N-(1-hydroxy-3-morpholino-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)decanamide induces large lipid droplet accumulation and highlights the effect of LAMP-2 deficiency on lipid droplet degradation

Excess accumulation of intracellular lipids leads to various diseases. Lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous cellular organelles for lipid storage. LDs are hydrolyzed via cytosolic lipases (lipolysis) and also degraded in lysosomes through autophagy; namely, lipophagy. A recent study has shown the size-dependent selection of LDs by the two major catabolic pathways (lipolysis and lipophagy), and thus experimental systems that can manipulate the size of LDs are now needed. The ceramide analogue N-(1-hydroxy-3-morpholino-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)decanamide (PDMP) affects the structures and functions of lysosomes/late endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and alters cholesterol homeostasis. We previously reported that PDMP induces autophagy via the inhibition of mTORC1. In the present study, we found that PDMP induced the accumulation of LDs, especially that of large LDs, in mouse fibroblast (L cells). Surprisingly, the LD accumulation was relieved by PDMP in L cells deficient in lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2), which is reportedly important for lipophagy. An electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that the LAMP-2 deficiency caused enlarged autophagosomes/autolysosomes in L cells, which may promote the sequestration and degradation of the PDMP-dependent large LDs. Accordingly, PDMP will be useful to explore the mechanism of LD degradation, by inducing large LDs.     

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis for lipid droplet expansion is mediated by localized activation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase

Lipid droplets (LDs) are cellular storage organelles for neutral lipids that vary in size and abundance according to cellular needs. Physiological conditions that promote lipid storage rapidly and markedly increase LD volume and surface. How the need for surface phospholipids is sensed and balanced during this process is unknown. Here, we show that phosphatidylcholine (PC) acts as a surfactant to prevent LD coalescence, which otherwise yields large, lipolysis-resistant LDs and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. The need for additional PC to coat the enlarging surface during LD expansion is provided by the Kennedy pathway, which is activated by reversible targeting of the rate-limiting enzyme, CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT), to growing LD surfaces. The requirement, targeting, and activation of CCT to growing LDs were similar in cells of Drosophila and mice. Our results reveal a mechanism to maintain PC homeostasis at the expanding LD monolayer through targeted activation of a key PC synthesis enzyme.     

Dynamics and regulation of lipid droplet formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia

Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid-rich organelles involved in many cellular processes. A well-known example is their accumulation in leukocytes upon activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria. A role of LDs and LD-associated proteins during inflammation in the brain is unknown, however. We have now studied their dynamics and regulation in microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We find that LPS treatment of microglia leads to the accumulation in them of LDs, and enhancement of the size of LDs. This induction of LDs was abolished by triacsin C, an inhibitor of triglyceride biosynthesis. LPS strongly activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK stress signaling pathways and increased the expression of LD-associated protein perilipin-2 (ADRP) in a time-dependent manner. Immunostaining showed that perilipin-2 in LPS-treated microglia predominantly colocalized with LDs. Inhibitors of p38 α/β (SB203580) and PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002), but not that of JNK (SP600125), reduced LPS-induced LD accumulation and eliminated the activating effect of LPS on perilipin-2. In addition, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)-α), a key enzyme for arachidonic acid release, colocalized with LPS-induced LDs. These observations suggest that LDs may play an important role in eicosanoid synthesis in activated microglia; they provide a novel insight into the regulation of LDs in inflammatory cells of the brain and point to a potential role of p38 α/β in LPS-induced LD accumulation. Collectively, our findings imply that LD formation and perilipin-2 induction could be microglial biomarkers of inflammation in the central nervous system.     

Composition and occurrence of lipid droplets in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme

Inclusions of neutral lipids termed lipid droplets (LDs) located throughout the cell were identified in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme by staining with lipophylic fluorescent dyes. LDs increased in number upon entry into stationary phase and addition of exogenous fructose indicating a role for carbon storage, whereas high-light stress did not increase LD numbers. LD accumulation increased when nitrate was used as the nitrogen source during exponential growth as compared to added ammonia or nitrogen-fixing conditions. Analysis of isolated LDs revealed enrichment of triacylglycerol (TAG), α-tocopherol, and C17 alkanes. LD TAG from exponential phase growth contained mainly saturated C16 and C18 fatty acids, whereas stationary phase LD TAG had additional unsaturated fatty acids characteristic of whole cells. This is the first characterization of cyanobacterial LD composition and conditions leading to their production. Based upon their abnormally large size and atypical location, these structures represent a novel sub-organelle in cyanobacteria.     

Dynamics and regulation of lipid droplet formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia

Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid-rich organelles involved in many cellular processes. A well-known example is their accumulation in leukocytes upon activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria. A role of LDs and LD-associated proteins during inflammation in the brain is unknown, however. We have now studied their dynamics and regulation in microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We find that LPS treatment of microglia leads to the accumulation in them of LDs, and enhancement of the size of LDs. This induction of LDs was abolished by triacsin C, an inhibitor of triglyceride biosynthesis. LPS strongly activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK stress signaling pathways and increased the expression of LD-associated protein perilipin-2 (ADRP) in a time-dependent manner. Immunostaining showed that perilipin-2 in LPS-treated microglia predominantly colocalized with LDs. Inhibitors of p38 α/β (SB203580) and PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002), but not that of JNK (SP600125), reduced LPS-induced LD accumulation and eliminated the activating effect of LPS on perilipin-2. In addition, cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂-α), a key enzyme for arachidonic acid release, colocalized with LPS-induced LDs. These observations suggest that LDs may play an important role in eicosanoid synthesis in activated microglia; they provide a novel insight into the regulation of LDs in inflammatory cells of the brain and point to a potential role of p38 α/β in LPS-induced LD accumulation. Collectively, our findings imply that LD formation and perilipin-2 induction could be microglial biomarkers of inflammation in the central nervous system.     

Controlling the size of lipid droplets: lipid and protein factors

Recent advances have transformed our understanding of lipid droplets (LDs). Once regarded as inert lipid storage granules, LDs are now recognized as multi-functional organelles that affect many aspects of cell biology and metabolism. However, fundamental questions concerning the biogenesis and growth of LDs remain unanswered. Recent studies have uncovered novel modes of LD growth (including rapid/homotypic as well as slow/atypical LD fusion), and identified key proteins (e.g. Fsp27, seipin, FITM2 and perilipin 1) and lipids (e.g. phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid) that regulate the size of LDs. Phospholipids appear to have an evolutionarily conserved role in LD growth. Protein factors may regulate LD expansion directly and/or indirectly through modulating the level and composition of phospholipids on LD surface.     

Spastin Binds to Lipid Droplets and Affects Lipid Metabolism

Mutations in SPAST, encoding spastin, are the most common cause of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). HSP is characterized by weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs, owing to progressive retrograde degeneration of the long corticospinal axons. Spastin is a conserved microtubule (MT)-severing protein, involved in processes requiring rearrangement of the cytoskeleton in concert to membrane remodeling, such as neurite branching, axonal growth, midbody abscission, and endosome tubulation. Two isoforms of spastin are synthesized from alternative initiation codons (M1 and M87). We now show that spastin-M1 can sort from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to pre- and mature lipid droplets (LDs). A hydrophobic motif comprised of amino acids 57 through 86 of spastin was sufficient to direct a reporter protein to LDs, while mutation of arginine 65 to glycine abolished LD targeting. Increased levels of spastin-M1 expression reduced the number but increased the size of LDs. Expression of a mutant unable to bind and sever MTs caused clustering of LDs. Consistent with these findings, ubiquitous overexpression of Dspastin in Drosophila led to bigger and less numerous LDs in the fat bodies and increased triacylglycerol levels. In contrast, Dspastin overexpression increased LD number when expressed specifically in skeletal muscles or nerves. Downregulation of Dspastin and expression of a dominant-negative variant decreased LD number in Drosophila nerves, skeletal muscle and fat bodies, and reduced triacylglycerol levels in the larvae. Moreover, we found reduced amount of fat stores in intestinal cells of worms in which the spas-1 homologue was either depleted by RNA interference or deleted. Taken together, our data uncovers an evolutionarily conserved role of spastin as a positive regulator of LD metabolism and open up the possibility that dysfunction of LDs in axons may contribute to the pathogenesis of HSP.